• Respite Assistance Program — for caregivers of a dementia or Alzheimer's disease sufferer. The Alzheimer's Family Organization also will provide other national respite resources that can reimburse costs to caregivers.

• Wanderers Identification Program — provides the person with a memory disorder with an identifying bracelet or pendant with a code number and direct telephone number to the Sheriff's Office. If the person becomes lost or wanders from home, they can be identified through a shared database that houses essential patient information and caregiver contacts.

For information, call AFO at (727) 848-8888 or toll-free at 1-888-496-8004.

Elder Abuse Hotline: To report suspected cases of elder abuse, neglect and exploitation, or those 60 or older who are being hurt or taken advantage of by someone you know, call toll-free 1-800-96-ELDER (1-800-963-5337) or 1-800-96-ABUSE (1-800-962-2873). Sponsored by the Florida Department of Children and Families and the Florida Department of Elder Affairs.

HPH Hospice Grief Support: 3 to 4 p.m. Mondays, HPH Hospice, 698 S Broad St., Brooksville; and 3 to 4 p.m. Thursdays, 12260 Cortez Blvd., Spring Hill. Led by hospice bereavement counselors, these ongoing bereavement support groups are for adults grieving over the death of a loved one. There is no cost to participate and no reservations needed. Visit hph-hospice.org or call toll-free 1-800-486-8784.

• Family-to-Family, 6:30 p.m. Thursdays, starting Sept. 2, at the Beautiful Mind Outreach Center, 10554 Spring Hill Drive. This is a 12-week course that focuses on helping family members understand and cope with mental illness. It is taught by trained instructors who also have loved ones with mental illness. There is no cost to participate. Space limited; reservations required. Call Mariann Eckman, (352) 683-1350.

• The Beautiful Mind Outreach Center, 10554 Spring Hill Drive (Brothers I and II Plaza), Spring Hill. Open 1 to 5 p.m. Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, and from 3 to 5 p.m. Wednesdays. This is a self-help rehabilitation and recreation center for people with mental illnesses, offering support groups, classes, bingo, arts and crafts, and other social and educational activities. Call the center at (352) 684-0004. Visit www.namihernando.org or www.NAMI.org.

• Consumer support group, 7 to 8:30 p.m. Mondays, at the Beautiful Mind. The group is for adults who have been diagnosed with a mental illness who are interested in speaking with others who share similar problems.

• Family Support Group, 3 to 5 p.m. Wednesdays at the Beautiful Mind. This group is for families to meet and talk with others who understand adult mental illness.

Operation Veteran and Family Support Network: Support and assistance offered to members of the military, veterans and their families through these free support groups led by mental health counselors with the Harbor Behavioral Health Care. Meetings are 5:30 to 7 p.m. Thursdays at three Harbor locations:

• 7074 Grove Road, Brooksville

• 14527 Seventh St., Dade City

• 8002 King Helie Blvd., New Port Richey.

For information, call (352) 232-4770 or (727) 420-7943.

SHINE Program Assists Seniors with Health Insurance: The Florida Department of Elder Affairs offers the free SHINE program (Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders) at the following locations in Hernando County:

No appointments necessary (unless otherwise noted). For information or for counseling locations outside Hernando County, call the Elder Hotline toll-free at 1-800-262-2243.

Weight Watchers: For area meetings, call toll-free 1-800-651-6000.

Brooksville

CoDA (Co-Dependents Anonymous): Words of Wisdom group, 6:30 to 8 p.m. Wednesdays, Salvation Army Fellowship Hall, 15464 Cortez Blvd. The purpose of this program is for the development of healthy relationships and the building of self-esteem. Val, (352) 596-2492.

Al-Anon: Adult children focused step meeting, 7:30 to 9 p.m. Thursdays, Spring Hill Enrichment Center, 11375 Cortez Blvd. (behind Oak Hill Hospital). Meetings are open to all Al-Anon members and anyone suffering from the confusion of being raised in a home where alcohol was a problem. Toll-free 1-888-4Al-ANON (425-2666).

Alzheimer's Series offered: 10 to 11:30 a.m. Wednesdays, Sept. 8-Oct. 6, HPH Hospice, 12260 Cortez Blvd. This free, five-week program will be conducted by Jerry Fisher, program specialist for the Alzheimer's Association, Florida Gulf Coast Chapter. It will include an overview of Alzheimer's disease, changes in communication, dealing with difficult behaviors and Alzheimer's care-giving as well as research and treatment. Discussion will follow each presentation. Due to space limitations, registration required. Janet Clymer, (352) 597-1882.

First Place 4 Health: 5 to 6:30 p.m. Sept. 2, Spring Hill Enrichment Center, 11375 Cortez Blvd., behind Oak Hill Hospital. This is the first meeting of a faith-based weight loss program. Participants will need to purchase a book and study guide for the class. RSVP to Christel, (352) 666-4044.

Moving On: 12:15 p.m. Thursdays, Perkins Family Restaurant, 4685 Commercial Way. This is a self-help support group for seniors who have difficulty dealing with the loss of a loved one. Marilyn, (352) 597-5315, or Rita, (352) 684-3916.

Overeaters Anonymous: Bridge to Serenity group, 1 p.m. Tuesdays, West Hernando/S.T. Foggia Branch Library, 6335 Blackbird Ave. This is a 12-step program for those suffering from compulsive overeating. There are no dues, fees or weigh-ins for this support group. Belinda, (352) 293-3455.

Prostate Cancer Screenings offered free: Oak Hill Hospital is offering screenings in two parts. The first is a prostate specific antigen (PSA) blood draw, which must be done between Sept. 8-28 at the hospital's ExpressLab; a prescription from a physician is required for the PSA lab (no other lab tests should be ordered on this prescription). The second part of the screening is the physician digital rectal exam (DRE); this DRE is by appointment only, on Oct. 6. DRE appointments may be scheduled through Sept. 12, and must be scheduled prior to the PSA. Call (352) 597-6333.

The Respite Room: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesdays, First United Methodist Church, 9344 Spring Hill Drive. This weekly program is a partnership between the church and CARES (Community Aging and Retirement Services Inc.) to provide activities and social time for those with memory challenges such as dementia or Alzheimer's disease while their caregivers get time off. Call to schedule a complimentary visit. Chris Powers, (727) 863-6868, or Cindy McLoud, (352) 683-2600.

Divorce Care: 6:30 to 8 p.m. Wednesdays, starting Sept. 1, Christian Church in the Wildwood, Building C, Room 202, 10051 Country Road. This is a 13-week program. The workbook is $13. Free childcare available for children in the eighth grade and younger. (352) 596-1388, ext. 224.

Tourette's Syndrome support group: 1:30 to 3 p.m. Saturday, Countryside Branch Library, 2741 State Road 580. A group that will meet in Hernando County is being organized. Visit tsa-fl.org or call (727) 418-0240.

Send information for the Health and Support column to Phyllis Day, Hernando Times, 15365 Cortez Blvd., Brooksville, FL 34613; fax to (352) 754-6133; or e-mail pday@sptimes.com. Deadline for this news is two weeks before event or reservation deadline. Information cannot be published if the time, date, place, ticket price (if applicable) or contact person and phone number are missing. For information, call (352) 754-6101 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays.